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Mathematics: Her 'Field' of Dreams

Nearly 2,000 undergraduates sit for six hours each winter trying to solve 12 complex
math problems for the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition – considered
by many to be the most prestigious university-level math exam in the world. They compete
for a little bit of money, a few moments of fame and even for the "fun" of it. For
the last two years, Elizabeth Field has been one of those students.

Last winter, Field earned 10 out of a possible 120 points on the Putnam exam. A year
earlier, she scored but a single point. Those may not seem particularly impressive
scores – that is, until you discover that more than half of the participants – which
include many of the best young math minds in the United States and Canada -- fail
to tally a single point. And less than a third of the students reach the 10-point
mark.

Field, who is majoring in elementary/special education and mathematics, will finish her student-teaching certification next fall. And while Field says she's
always liked math, she never envisioned herself majoring in that discipline, let along
contemplating a career in it. But all that changed when she transferred to Southern
three years ago.

"As an education student, I had to choose a second major and I just happened to pick
math," Field says. "I ended up loving it. It was fascinating."

Her impressive 4.0 GPA in her math classes and participation in multiple math research
opportunities and conference panel presentations demonstrate her fondness for the
subject.

She is also breaking traditional gender barriers seen in the STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) disciplines, where women hold a disproportionately low
portion of undergraduate degrees in those fields.

Field's success has been recognized by Raymond Mugno, an associate professor of mathematics,
who has been one of her teachers.

Mugno says Field's intelligence, drive and extraordinary work ethic are an integral
part of her success, but he adds that her creativity sets her apart.

Field has traveled throughout the country to attend a variety of math conferences
and workshops. Last summer, she was one of 10 students to take part in the Research
Experiences for Undergraduates program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where
she studied for eight weeks. The program culminated in a paper, which she presented
with her peers, at the 2013 Joint Mathematics Meeting in San Diego.

"In math class, you sit there and the answers are in the back of the book," Field
says. "But in the world of mathematics, there are real questions and the answers are
just waiting to be discovered."

Field has participated in workshops that have engaged her in theoretical studies,
such as issues related to climate change.

Although she originally envisioned herself teaching in an elementary school, she has
shifted her focus to research, graduate school and perhaps a career as a university
professor.

Nevertheless, Field remains connected to one of her passions -- youth development.
She works with the children at her church's youth group in an effort to help them
become better people and leaders.